JD 5325 to replace M6800?

[MtnViewRanch]

Not sure if there's any confusion here, but the "EH" hitch on the JD machines from 5x25 on up is not "easy hitch" but I believe "electro hydraulic" and is quite nice if you have to raise and lower implements precisely hundreds of times, like a farmer doing row crops may do. It's much more than just a control lever at the rear in addition to at the operator station.

My impression of what the OP wanted was to be able to stand at the rear of the tractor and be able to raise and lower the 3PH to make hitching up an implement easier. There are other tractors that have this feature besides JD. He did not indicate that he was interested in the other features that the EH Hitch provided.

I suppose that I may need to become a mind reader after this thread.

 

[Dargo]

Dargo, You like twisting things don't you?

No twisting necessary. You said, and I quote "I have looked at about all the different brands, the quality is all fairly close and should not be a deciding factor." That is your opinion. I completely disagree. That is my opinion. Where do you get any "twisting" in that?? Because most others disagree with your opinion? Hey, they are opinions; we could all be wrong. However, please refrain from accusing me of twisting your words when I directly quote them.

 

[bjcsc]

Doesn't the NH TN/4000 series have this feature, too? Seem to remember seeing it mentioned in their literature.

Beats me. I don't know anything about CNH...Soundguy might know...

Not sure if there's any confusion here, but the "EH" hitch on the JD machines from 5x25 on up is not "easy hitch" but I believe "electro hydraulic" and is quite nice if you have to raise and lower implements precisely hundreds of times, like a farmer doing row crops may do. It's much more than just a control lever at the rear in addition to at the operator station.

Yes, that's right, it's electro-hydraulic and has nothing to do with attaching implements. Here's more than you probably wanted to know about it: You have a position slider just like every other 3pt. with a wheel that sets a tab. The top of the slider is hinged on one side only so you can lift it with your finger and lock it on the tab. At any point, you can lift the top and go higher or lower without changing where the tab is set. In addition to that, you have three infinitely variable knobs: 1 is your rate (lowering speed), #2 is your draft control and #3 is for your 3pt.. #3 works in conjunction with two buttons (raise and lower) on the side of the EH 3Pt. module. The raise button will take the 3pt. to whatever height selected by the knob. The lower button will take it to whatever height is selected by the position slider. You can use it in two ways: 1) Leave the position slider all the way down. You set the height you want with the knob. When you push the raise button it goes to the point you have preset. At any time you can turn the knob and fine tune it for setting your working height. From then on, when you push the lower button it will go all the way down, and the raise button takes it to your precise working height. 2) You can set the slider tab to "working position 1" and then you can set the knob to "working position 2". You can use this in interesting ways: Box Blade: You set the slider to grab material at whatever rate. You then set the knob, say, an inch higher. When the box fills up, push the raise button and the contents are evenly spread out and you never looked. This does a great job when grading or spreading gravel. Bush Hog: You can set 2 cut heights (eg. the second higher for repeating obstacles). If you move the slider down when you're at the greater height, nothing will happen. You have to slide it all the way up to transport height (the 3pt. will not move up) and then back down to "clear" your previous setting. Once you get below the height selected by the knob, it will begin to lower and will stop corresponding to where you stop the slider. The upper limit set by the knob can not be overridden. If you want to rasie the 3pt. to transport height, you have to turn the knob back to fully raised.

The buttons on the fender are momentary and will adjust it higher and lower as long as you hold them in, as long as the 3pt. position control slider is not in transport lock position...

 

[candersen10]

To the OP,

I bought a John Deere 5325 open station (ISO platform) with a 24 by 24 speed transmission and 3 remote valves as well as a bunch of other options. I have a New Holland TN75 and a Kubota GL4630 so people cannot accuse me of being biased; I must say that the 5325 is by far the better tractor out of the other machines. It feels much more powerful than the TN75 even though it is rated less powerful. It also feels very well built and heavy in the field which I really like.

As for your application, I regularly mow tall grass with a 10 foot rotary mower in the economy PTO mode (running below about 1500 RPM) and the tractor has no problem flying along at 6 or 7 mph.

I looked at the Kubota M6800 and obviously own a New Holland, when I looked at the Deere 5325 it just seemed like such a nicer machine. With the cab you'll have to love it. Furthermore, it's primarily made in America which is really important as far as I'm concerned. If something is made in this country and is really a great product, I believe we almost have a duty to buy it. I plan on buying a 6430 premium or perhaps a 5625 later this year and I couldn't be happier with the John Deere equipment I have bought thus far (5325, CT332, 3720). Good luck with the purchase.

 

[tjkadar]

bjcsc,

That was a better write-up than what the sales material has. Excellent description of the EH and the advantages of its use. I plan on using the EH's capabilities in my riding arena a lot.

Candersen,

Thanks for the feedback on your 5325. After reading through other threads, and listening to others experiences with their tractors, I believe the 5325 is the right tractor for our farm. Now I just need to figure out to pay for it! Guess I won't be getting a Porsche anytime soon (as if!).

Regards,

Tim

 

[rutwad]

I say you should get the JD 5425. It's less than $3k more. If some of your accessories are not needed, skip them now and have them field installed later if the initial cost matters. But if you get it loaded like you want, you get the great financing on all the accessories.

JD seems to have higher resale. The JD will ride better. And the e540 PTO should save you mega $$$$ when you look at how much fuel costs. JD has a NICER cab.

If you want JD, buy JD. Saving money usually cost me more in the long run, plus alot of aggrevation.

GO GREEN !!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Um, if that were true wouldn't everyone be driving Jinma tractors or the inexpensive Fotons from Rural King? Sure, they all have 4 wheels and diesel engines, but there are huge differences in quality. Saying that they are all the same sounds like a guy who bought a Yugo trying to justify his purchase. Just my opinion, like yours of 'they are all the same'.
quote]

Please show me where I used the words in bold print. I try not to talk in absolutes. You have quoted an absolute.

 

[JDPN]

I plan on buying a 6430 premium or perhaps......

I believe the 6030 series are made in Germany. Still a beastly tractor.

 

[candersen10]

Very true, I'd still rather own an American company's foreign produced equipment than a foreign company's foreign produce equipment however. This is all assuming that the equipment is roughly equal in terms of functionality and I think, based off of what I have seen so far, that the 6430 is a very very functional piece of equipment.

 

[greggh]

I believe the 6030 series are made in Germany. Still a beastly tractor.

I think you are correct, but still Germany is not a third world country. The Germans build quality stuff. I think where a lot of people get concerned about foreign built products is the third world where the wages are cheap and are taking manufacturing jobs away from Americans. I don't thing the wages are cheap in Germany.

This again is only my opinion.

 

[JDPN]

My bad, I misrepresented my thoughts. What that thought was meant to convey is that in this globalized world, you can't win. Different parts of the world can more economically manufacture certain components or assemblies than others. On another note, the 5000 series tractors according to the Deere website are built in mexico, but I always thought in Georgia at the CUT factory.

 

[gamble77]

The 5X03 models are from India (except 5603) and the 5X25 series are built in Georgia...

None of this matters though...original poster was aking bout two specific tractors abilities, not place or origin...

 

[Builder]

These topics always degrade down to the same ugly ending.

 

[tjkadar]

Well, after putting all the options I would like on the tractor, it is a question mark as to if I can afford it or not. At this point in time, I don't want to settle on less than exactly what I would like. I did that when I purchased the M6800 without the cab. I've settled on the more fully featured 5325 as opposed to the great deal on the 5603. The extra features on the 5x25 series are pretty darned cool. The hydraulic set-up I would like is something that would allow me to run a grapple, post hole digger, or hydaulically driven mower off the FEL while running a top-n-tilt box blade or my Reveal 4-n-1 with a hydraulic top-link (3 mid mount & 3 rears). That is something I don't see other tractors in this size. The EH hitch is pretty cool... I can see that making my 4-n-1 more efficient and easier to use (the 4-n-1 is an arena prep tool similar to a box blade on steriods - not a 4-n-1 bucket).

The whole debate about where a tractor is built is a non-starter in today's global economy. There are many, many fine tractors built out there today. If it were feasible, I would buy an Antonio Carraro and call it a day. But that isn't a realistic option. In my area it is John Deere, Kubota, or NH.

Our local NH dealer screwed me on a bush hog. Long story and I don't want to get into that now. The Kubota dealership is going out of business, doesn't offer the same features, and the cab isn't, in my opinion, as nice as the Deere's. That leaves me with a green tractor or keeping my orange one. While I would prefer the cab on the green, I can survive a couple more years on an open station.

I'll know more on Monday.

 

[candersen10]

The whole debate about where a tractor is built is a non-starter in today's global economy. There are many, many fine tractors built out there today. If it were feasible, I would buy an Antonio Carraro and call it a day. But that isn't a realistic option. In my area it is John Deere, Kubota, or NH.

I'd imagine inflation would screw you with an Antonio Carraro no matter what.

I don't know if this is relevant for your usage but given that you've looked at the Carraros I'm assuming you have some work to do on hills. I've found that the 5325 with the 24by24 transmission is great on hills for mowing so long as you go slowly, have wide wheel spacing, and pay very close attention to obstacles etc.

If you are really willing to wait for a good hill tractor, I know that John Deere just introduced the 20A and I'm hoping that they expand their offerings to include the larger Goldoni products (http://www.goldoni.com/eng/trattori.htm). These tractors, if equipped with the dual wheels on each axel are incredibly stable on hills and the larger ones have the reversible stations which would be great for mowing.

 

[tjkadar]

I'd imagine inflation would screw you with an Antonio Carraro no matter what.

I don't know if this is relevant for your usage but given that you've looked at the Carraros I'm assuming you have some work to do on hills. I've found that the 5325 with the 24by24 transmission is great on hills for mowing so long as you go slowly, have wide wheel spacing, and pay very close attention to obstacles etc.

If you are really willing to wait for a good hill tractor, I know that John Deere just introduced the 20A and I'm hoping that they expand their offerings to include the larger Goldoni products (http://www.goldoni.com/eng/trattori.htm). These tractors, if equipped with the dual wheels on each axel are incredibly stable on hills and the larger ones have the reversible stations which would be great for mowing.

The ability to navigate hills is nice, but I think it is even cooler to have a cab that reverses. There are a lot of features available on an Antonio Carraro that doesn't exist on our tractors. They also put a lot of power in a small frame. They are just really cool tractors. Maybe its the gadget geek in me, but I like the 'differenceness' of the Carraro.

The John Deere will suit my needs just fine... and then some.

 

[BarryinMN]

Congrats on your Deere decision. Only spec. I can think to add is Michelin Agri-Bib radial tires. Should net you 5% better traction & further improved ride.

My thoughts came down to how much cash I was willing to park in the barn for 100 hrs annual usage. As noted earlier I bought another brand tractor but also bought Deere stock. Plan is still working well 4 yrs later.

Here is my little yellow Deere I use on sidehills to dig out gems & push uphill. Very stable '68, 4' wide with 6' blade.

 

[tjkadar]

John Deere allows for a lot of options on their 5x25 line. After looking, driving, and agonizing over all the details, I think I've settled on a 5325, MFWD, Cab with air suspension seat, 12F/12R, R1 tires, triple mid and triple rear SVCs, telescoping draft links, EH hitch, hood guard, antenna, LH & RH mirrors, a 542 NSL FEL, skid steer quick tach, 72" HD bucket with cutting edge. We'll see how the financing works and if I'll be able to keep everything on my dream list.

 

[Builder]

Sounds like an awesome tractor. I need one like it, but it's just not in the budget right now.

 

[tjkadar]

This is what it comes down to now. A Porsche Boxster S or a JD 5325. Which should I get? The M6800 does everything I need it to. It is just hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The Boxster S is my dream car (within reach). What would you guys do given the choice - Porsche or JD?